‘privatised’

American Samoa news ‘privatised’

“Privatisation,” that word which has linguistic purists wri thing in pain throughout the English-speaking world, is alive and well in American Samoa.

Under the Reagan Adminis tration’s philosophy of letting governments do nothing which is traditionally done by non government interests, the terri tory’s long-established News Bulletin, published by the Office of Public Information, ceased publication from September 30.

The News Bulletin of September 17 announced the change in the following terms: The long familiar face of the government daily News Bulle tin will not be seen after September 30. In announcing this move, Governor Lutali said this morning that it is part of his administration’s efforts to terminate all responsibilities the government presently under takes which are traditionally non-government. He said that although there is no indication from the business sector at this time to publish a daily news paper to replace the News Bulletin, he is optimistic that in the very near future, someone will produce one.

“With the closing of the News Bulletin,” the Governor added, “American Samoa will have to rely on the three existing week ly newspapers, Radio Samoa, and KVZK-TV to provide the public with news. And I hope it would not be long before a daily newspaper is published here.”

Governor Lutali said the News Bulletin has played an important role in informing the people of what goes on in the government. However, he noted that the news sheet is very much restricted to govern ment departments and to a few members of the public who called at the Bulletin office everyday for their copies.

The Governor concluded by commending the media for the fine work they have done, and invited them to help American Samoa’s development by con tinuing to report unbiasedly and accurately.